This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every persons position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the FAQ and RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate and remove the ads - it's free!

Re: French war planes hit four Libyan tanks-Jazeera

I'm still kind of confused as to how attacks against ground targets, such as armored vehicles (as opposed to air defenses) are sanctioned or justified under the enforcement of a no-fly zone.

Nobody who wins a war indulges in a bifurcated definition of victory. War is a political act; victory and defeat have meaning only in political terms. A country incapable of achieving its political objectives at an acceptable cost is losing the war, regardless of battlefield events.

Bifurcating victory (e.g. winning militarily, losing politically) is a useful salve for defeated armies. The "stab in the back" narrative helped take the sting out of failure for German generals after WWI and their American counterparts after Vietnam.

All the same, it's nonsense. To paraphrase Vince Lombardi, show me a political loser, and I'll show you a loser.

Re: French war planes hit four Libyan tanks-Jazeera

I don't know details and what is going on there but it is the frist time when I have some esteem for a position of France. Cadaffi is not a true comminist, I think, and he hasn't an exlusive right to bomb other people. Why other countries cannot help the opposition?

Re: French war planes hit four Libyan tanks-Jazeera

I'm still kind of confused as to how attacks against ground targets, such as armored vehicles (as opposed to air defenses) are sanctioned or justified under the enforcement of a no-fly zone.

The resolution allows use of "all means necessary" to protect civilians from Gaddafi. That means taking out tanks and artillery being used against the rebels, and driving them back out of range (otherwise destroying them)

Re: French war planes hit four Libyan tanks-Jazeera

Originally Posted by Manc Skipper

The resolution allows use of "all means necessary" to protect civilians from Gaddafi. That means taking out tanks and artillery being used against the rebels, and driving them back out of range (otherwise destroying them)

I see, do you have a citation for that quote?

Nobody who wins a war indulges in a bifurcated definition of victory. War is a political act; victory and defeat have meaning only in political terms. A country incapable of achieving its political objectives at an acceptable cost is losing the war, regardless of battlefield events.

Bifurcating victory (e.g. winning militarily, losing politically) is a useful salve for defeated armies. The "stab in the back" narrative helped take the sting out of failure for German generals after WWI and their American counterparts after Vietnam.

All the same, it's nonsense. To paraphrase Vince Lombardi, show me a political loser, and I'll show you a loser.

Re: French war planes hit four Libyan tanks-Jazeera

Originally Posted by Tashah

UN Resolution 1973 permits the use of all means available to stop Libyan government violence against civilians. It is not limited to enforcing a no-fly zone. It also stipulates that the Libyan government cannot interfere with humanitarian endeavors such as truck convoys and transport aircraft.

That's fine, however "campaign" has a specific connotation to it, so that's simply a mischaracterization then. Here's the text from Resolution 1973 specifically:

Originally Posted by Resolution 1973

Authorizes Member States that have notified the Secretary-General, acting nationally or through regional organizations or arrangements, and acting in cooperation with the Secretary-General, to take all necessary measures, notwithstanding paragraph 9 of resolution 1970 (2011), to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, including Benghazi, while excluding a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory, and requests the Member States concerned to inform the Secretary-General immediately of the measures they take pursuant to the authorization conferred by this paragraph which shall be immediately reported to the Security Council;